Whittier Personal Injury FAQs

No honest lawyer can tell you that at the start. Value depends on how badly you were hurt, your medical bills and future care, lost wages, how the injury affects your daily life, who was at fault, and how much insurance is available. Strong evidence and a lawyer who is ready for trial can also make a difference. We'll explain these factors once we understand your injuries.

It depends mostly on your medical treatment. We usually don't want to settle until we know the full extent of your injuries, because once you settle, you generally can't ask for more. Some cases resolve within months after treatment ends. Cases that go to a lawsuit can take a year or more.

Most injury cases settle without a trial. If we file a lawsuit, you may need to answer written questions and give a deposition, which is sworn testimony taken in an office, not a courtroom. If your case does go to trial, we'll prepare you every step of the way. Steven has tried cases to jury verdict.

Your consultation is free. We work on a contingency fee, which means you pay no attorney's fee unless we recover money for you. Our fee agreement is in writing and explains how the fee and case costs work before you sign.

The at-fault driver's insurer usually doesn't pay bills as they come in. It pays at the end, as part of a settlement or judgment. In the meantime, bills may be paid by your health insurance, by medical payments (med-pay) coverage on your own car insurance, or by doctors who agree to treat you on a lien. We can help you sort out the options.

Talk with a lawyer first if you can. The adjuster works for the other driver's insurer, not for you. You generally don't have to give them a recorded statement, and what you say can be used to reduce your claim. Once we represent you, they will talk to us instead. Learn more on our car accident page.

You may still have a case. California uses comparative fault, which means your recovery is reduced by your share of the blame, but not taken away. For example, if you were 30% at fault, you could still recover 70% of your damages. Insurers often overstate your share, so it pays to have someone push back.

You can still get care. Some doctors and clinics will treat you on a lien, which means they wait to be paid from your settlement. Med-pay coverage on your own car policy may also help. Don't skip treatment because of cost. Gaps in care can hurt your health and your case.

A lien is a written promise that a doctor will be paid from your settlement or judgment. It lets you get care now without paying up front. You are still responsible for the bill, and the amount can sometimes be negotiated at the end of the case. Insurers may also question lien bills, so we review them carefully with you.

In most California injury cases, you have two years from the date of injury to file a lawsuit. If a government agency was involved, such as a city vehicle or a dangerous public sidewalk, you usually must file a written claim within six months. Read more about the two deadlines that can end your case. Don't wait, because missing a deadline can end your case.

Bring what you have, but don't worry if you don't have everything. Helpful items include the police report number, photos, insurance cards, the other party's information, medical records or bills, and any letters from insurance companies. We can meet in person or by video, often the same day.

Steven Ibarra personally handles every case. He is fluent in Spanish. He has worked in personal injury since 2003. You can learn more about Steven.